Booking.com Charged Me for a "Free Cancellation" Hotel

I am absolutely furious with Booking.com! I made a reservation through your platform for the "Moss Art Boutique Hotel" in Baku for five nights, from July 28th to August 2nd. The reservation clearly stated it had a free cancellation option.

My travel plans changed, so I canceled the reservation within an hour of booking it. I was explicitly told that the full amount would be refunded to my account within 7-12 days, and the site also confirmed a full refund. But despite being a "free cancellation," the pending payment was still debited from my bank account!

If it was truly free cancellation, why did you process the payment instead of simply canceling the pending transaction? It makes no sense. I canceled instantly, and yet, the money was taken from my account the very next morning. Booking.com, I demand the immediate refund of the money that was charged for my freely canceled reservation! This is deceptive and unacceptable.